Tinting on the back window - distortion? [Archive]

scrolls

05-01-2008, 10:46 AM

Hi everyone, I've had my new GT for almost a month now, and have a major annoyance with the tinting on the back window.

I'm really getting frustrated with the distortion I'm getting through the back window at night. As I've never had tinted windows before, I'm not sure how much distortion is "normal", and how much could be attributed to a bad tint job.

The annoyance is with the headlights that seem to reflect off the de-icer lines, so that everything seems very 'sparkly' and is frankly really annoying. Is this "normal" for a tinted window? Is this "normal" for the Mazda 3 regardless of the tint? I'm trying to give it time to see if I'll get used to it, but quite frankly at this point, I'm half tempted to just rip out the tinting in the back. I love having it everywhere else, but not in the back.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thrice08

05-01-2008, 11:03 AM

I have a hatchback with moderate tint and I don't notice anything. All my cars have been tinted though so maybe I'm just used to it. The only car I noticed distortion was on my last cavalier Z24, but it was only the last few years that this happened so it could have been due to age. I think some distortion is normal but if it is an extreme amount I would take your car back in and complain. If anything the lights coming through the rear window should be easier on the eyes not worse.

rallyboy

05-01-2008, 11:15 AM

I agree, I have a sport, tinted two years ago and no distortion.

sauga_kid

05-01-2008, 11:17 AM

Just curious, where was the car tinted and what kind of tints are they. Material and instillation could be reason for your "sparkle"

scrolls

05-01-2008, 11:24 AM

Just curious, where was the car tinted and what kind of tints are they. Material and instillation could be reason for your "sparkle"

I had them done at Ontario Mazda, as the salesman gave it to me for free, but I don't know what 'brand' of tint they are, if that's what you're asking. There's no other issue with the tint like bubbling or anything like that, so I'm not sure if this is "normal" and I'm just being fussy, or if there really is something wrong.

Cardinal Fang

05-01-2008, 12:33 PM

All my cars have had tints from 20% to 30% and I've never noticed any distortion like what you're experiencing. As a matter of fact other than the it being slightly darker when looking out I don't notice any distortion.

LockOut

05-01-2008, 01:22 PM

I've had mine tinted since the summer of '04, and I have never had any problems. You should definitely not see any major difference. As far as I know, CF's got it right, it should just look darker. That goes for all windows, not just the rear.

McGuyver_3

05-01-2008, 09:31 PM

Ive had mine tinted for a long time and yes i do notice the distortion aswell but you get used to it. Also alot of cars at my work are all the same so i dont see it as being a big issue imo

LockOut

05-04-2008, 10:48 AM

So apparently i never NOTICED the problem. Driving around a few nights ago, I saw what you meant. Since I've been driving around with it for 4 years, I guess that it doesn't really bother me. As far as I know, you still SHOULDN'T see a difference. Doesn't bother me at all, though.

sudz

05-04-2008, 09:59 PM

I have this as well, I was warned about it by the tint shop. There's really nothing you can do about it. Some brands of cars have it worse than others, due to the thickness of the defroster wires. Its just curved over the defroster wires, causing it to distort light. At first it threw me off a bit, but now i don't even notice it (though i'm sure its going to bug the hell out of me that you reminded me, lol!

FONZ

05-05-2008, 01:03 AM

I had them done at Ontario Mazda, as the salesman gave it to me for free.

In my own opinion, I try to stay away from Ontario Mazda, They're unprofessional, and they don't know what they're doing, I've encountered some issues where my buddy took his GT in, and they tried to tell him other wise.

There was an incident, where the mechanics, were " playing around " with his GPS that has a 7" Screen pop up, And instead of pressing the button to close, they try to use their hands to close it.

Which is why, when he goes there for service, he reminds them to put on the sheet to not touch his GPS.

Other than that, I've never really noticed the distortion, but I'm sure, since you brought it up, I'll be looking for it tomorrow night. lol!:chuckle

baymoe

05-05-2008, 01:25 AM

When was the car tinted? It initially impaired my vision for the first couple of nights, then I either got used to it or the liquid that the installer used evaporated.

condor888000

05-05-2008, 01:40 AM

I wonder if it has to do with the angle of the sedan rear glass because I notice it as well.

RemaerdLacidar

05-05-2008, 10:08 AM

I notice it as well with my tints....
I thing you're right about the angle condor

scrolls

09-02-2008, 09:04 AM

Yes, I think it's a combination of things that's making it annoying to me. If I'd actually known that this could have been an issue, I would've told the salesguy to not give it to me at all, but oh well. C'est la vie. Other than that, I absolutely love the car, so I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

bunchi

09-02-2008, 01:57 PM

i think it more because of the rear defogger.. i could be wrong... but I noticed more when I had mine tinted... you just see the lines more

Ex-Rolla

09-03-2008, 09:57 PM

I had a similar problem on the front driver side window. The tint looked like "orange peel" so looking out at certain angles looked terrible. The tint guys acknowledged it and replaced it on the spot. Ask the dealership where they get the tints done. Take it back to them and see if they can replace it (usually comes with a lifetime warranty).

Good luck!

06Touring3

09-04-2008, 11:38 AM

I wonder if it has to do with the angle of the sedan rear glass because I notice it as well.

i drive a sedan and don't notice antyhing wrong with my rear window....?

MSMitch

09-04-2008, 01:07 PM

It's likely a combination of the defrost wires and the tinit job - look and see if you see and air around the wires. In the old days, they used to cut he tint around the cables, but MOST material used now is malleable enough to god around them...

dead_cactus

09-04-2008, 02:32 PM

I've noticed this as well.

MattC

09-09-2008, 11:44 AM

I don't notice it... take a pic? maybe its just remnance of a bad install, or using your de-icers too soon after its tinted?

Go_Habs_Go

09-09-2008, 04:10 PM

I'm getting my windows tinted tomorrow morning. I'm going to speak to the guy and see if he knows anything about distortion caused by the tint. Maybe it depends on the type of tint being used?

I'm also getting a clear bra installed on the front of the car. I'll let you know how it goes! :)

McGuyver_3

09-13-2008, 08:40 PM

I found that my distortion has gone away over time soi am guessing that it goes away over time

ICEBOX

09-13-2008, 09:03 PM

I don't notice it too much, maybe cause I have always had tinted windows on my cars?

Brammer

10-04-2008, 11:35 PM

michaelm

10-05-2008, 03:07 PM

I have 20% tints on the back and I believe its just the angle of the glass on the sedans. I drive an 08.5 GT sedan and at night when a car behind aims their headlights towards the back, it reflects off the defrost lines and creates a straight line vertical glare. I noticed it before I got the tint. Its not so bad now with tints. Just gotta get used to it.

tweak_s

10-05-2008, 10:27 PM

I'm thinking about getting tints on my next 3.

I've seen many cars where the tint is all bubbled up on the back window around the defroster elements and it looks like crap.

Being a tint noob, I gather that there are different qualities of tint (and installer skills).

What are the common mistakes that lead to the bubbles?

Thx

Might be quality of tint etc..

If you're looking for tints, make sure the place offers a long/lifetime warranty, most of them do now. That way they'll put on their best stuff as i'm sure they don't want to have to redo your car lol

chorizo

10-06-2008, 04:04 PM

Go_Habs_Go

10-06-2008, 04:27 PM

I had my windows tinted about 2 weeks ago and I don't notice any distortion. I did a 20% carbon tint.

mazdathree

10-18-2008, 10:44 PM

I got my windows tinted a week ago and I noticed the distortion on the same night I got my tints done. The distortion is of the light from the headlights of the cars at the back. It is very noticeable as it appears like small horizontal lines along the rear defroster lines. I think its probably the liquid used by the tint shop that sits along the lines and reflects the light. I'll wait for 30 days for the liquid to dry out as its cold nowadays after which if it still exists I'll take it back to the tint shop.

My tint is 28% HP Quantum. Maybe its because of the metal that it has. Time will tell.

intensity

10-19-2008, 04:58 AM

i got my windows tinted on the first week i got my car and had no problems... i got 20% all around. in the day time its really affective vs. the sun but at night its really dark lol... i recommend audio heaven if anyone is interested in getting their car tinted.

MAZDA Kitten

10-19-2008, 09:59 AM

I have a sedan and yes I have distortion from my tint only at night. I guess I am just used to it; but it does remind me everytime Im in my bf's MK4 Jetta with no tint. Its soooo clear

bluemazda3

10-19-2008, 12:04 PM

I dont see any distortion on mine.. but maybe im not noticing it ...

mike meets mazda

08-25-2010, 12:03 AM

I got my windows tinted as well.I chose 20 % and when I look back at night,I to see lines from the defrost,but It sure helps me see driving,no bright lights in my miror.

Pokey

08-25-2010, 09:01 AM

It probably has to do with the material. I've had the civic tinted when it was brand new (2000) and until a few months ago had no issues. Now it seems that due to age there is some distortion when looking through the back window. So 9-1/2 years without an issue - pretty good I'd say.

mazdaskit

08-25-2010, 09:23 AM

I got my windows tinted as well.I chose 20 % and when I look back at night,I to see lines from the defrost,but It sure helps me see driving,no bright lights in my miror.
mine does that too its normal with after market tinting

Souls

08-27-2010, 06:03 AM

ok, so I see what the OP was talking about... I actually had let myself pay att'n to it, it's barely noticable, seriously

mspeed3

08-27-2010, 06:08 AM

When u guys say distortion, do u mean blur? Does this happen with age or poor material? Maybe poor installation?

FYI, the speed is my first tinted car @ 25% all around. Btw I don't find that the tint hinders my driving at all..

Souls

09-04-2010, 03:04 PM

The OP's saying that at night, when headlights are behind you (him), with his tint, the defroster lines very slightly distorts (bends) a fraction of light. This is due to the tint being curved (so slightly) over the defroster wires and each defroster wire will have a very slight refraction.

It's that it bothered him, and wanted to know if this is normal or not. Some of us noticed, some didn't.